Google IPO Open for Registration

Jon Shoberg writes "Google IPO is open for bid registration. From the front page: 'A registration statement relating to Google's Class A common stock has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. Google's Class A common stock may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of Google's Class A common stock in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. No offer to buy shares of Google's Class A common stock can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the registration statement has become effective, and any such offer may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time until the notice of acceptance is sent after the effective date. Of the shares to be sold in Google's initial public offering of Class A common stock, 14,142,135 shares will be issued and sold by Google and 10,494,524 of the shares will be sold by the selling stockholders.'"

Comments

I don't like the idea

[Anonymous Coward]

With all the hype surrounding this IPO it is sure to drive in some individual investors who would otherwise not commit themselves to such a high level of risk.

This is one of the rare times when an indivudal without millions in worth will have the opprunity to purchase shares from a company's public offering.

In my opinion any individual who purchases these shares is not doing themselves any favor. What is the goal behind buying any? Priced between 108-135 the odds of GOOG appreciating in value anytime soon after the IPO are slim.

Even in their SEC filings they admit in the risks section that they face increasingly greater compettition. They are not immune anymore and I would not want to myself to buy any of these shares nor would I like any family members.

way overpriced

[JarrodMJ]

What does a search engine need with $3.3 billion other than $$$ for the board members? I love google as much as anyone but I won't be buying their stock....unless it is in a mutual fund or stock index fund.....

Re:*sigh*

[Eccles]

even *with* the Dutch Auction.

I think the Dutch auction works against the investor, and in favor of Google.

Think about Netscape, VA Linux, Red Hat, and other such IPOs. They initially sold at a low price, and the stock skyrocketed the first day. People who got in at the IPO price and sold shortly thereafter made out like bandits -- heck, overall they probably made more than the companies. With Google's approach, there's no reason to expect much of an opening day vault, as the opening ask price comes from the auction price, and who would suddenly pay much more for the stock (once it's in general trading) than they would have shortly before (during the auction)?

Google has a scheme that allows them to pocket all that opening day enthusiasm themselves. Very smart, but there's little reason for small investors to care about the IPO itself as a result.

Not that I know that much about investing and IPOs, mind you.